Dickinson - Kingston

The house was designed on the smallest block in the new Kingston Foreshore area. The brief from Howard and Sonja Dickinson was that they requested segregated areas and zones for different types of living and that they were not gardeners. The house had a narrow frontage and access for cars was from the rear.

The front door was designed not to be seen from the street and also allow us to create an entry foyer in a very small space. This also allowed us not to enter into the living room as you arrive at the residence.

The formal living room and dining room are at the front of the house. Walls are used as screens, which are indented and allow the user to see through to the other parts of the house. The living room has access to a central garden court, which has a two storey void. The kitchen is the central part of the house and links the formal living area with the non formal living areas. The kitchen overlooks the garden court through two story curved glass silicon wall. This level also contains a powder room, laundry and double garage.

The top floor has two distinctive zones with the master bedroom to the front of the house and the other three bedrooms to the rear of the house. The zone that links these areas is the library with the curved glass silicone wall. This area is used for reading, relaxing and capturing the northern sun. The house allows for people to use different zones for different activities.

The house feels large, private and secure. The house looks within itself and does not use the outside world to enhance its environment.

The house is the collaboration of all who were involved and the great clients who allowed us to experiment with the design.